Automobile lift



1, 1959 .1. HALSTEAD 2,899,020

AUTOMOBILE LIFT Filed April 9, 1956 INVENTOR. John H. Ha/sfead Afforneys AUTOMOBILE John H. Halstead, San Jose, Calif.

Application April 9, 1956, Serial No. 576,977

6 Claims. (Cl. 187-8.?7'5).

This invention relates to improvements in automobile lifts that may beused in garages and service stations to lift automobiles and trucks forservicing and repair; and in particular to improved frame lifts havingadaptors carrying jacks that may be adjusted to di-fiereut positions forsafely supporting the frames of automobiles and light trucks of variousmakes and sizes.

A frame lift for automobiles, light trucks and the like, generallycomprises a lift frame that carries a plurality of jacks for supportingseveral points on the automobile or truck frame. Suitable mechanism,usually hydraulic mechanism, is provided to raise and lower the liftframe. When such frame lifts are to be used with automobiles and lighttrucks of various makes and sizes, the relative positions of the jacksshould be adjustable so that they can engage appropriate parts of thevehicle frame for supporting the vehicle safely. Since the vehicle mayvary considerably in size and design, the jacks should be adjustable toa considerable variety of positions. Furthermore, these adjustments mustbe such that they can be made quickly and conveniently. I

Accordingly, objects of this invention include the provision of improvedautomobile lifts with simple, lightweight and easy-to-handle adaptorscarrying jacks that may quickly and conveniently be adjusted to a greatvariety of positions, that are simple and economical to manufacture, andthat provide adequate clearance for all vehicles that may be. drivenover the lift. Other objects and advantages of the invention, willappear as the description proceeds.

Briefly stated, in accordance with certain aspects of this invention, animproved frame lift for automobiles, light trucks, and the like,includes an H-shaped lift frame having four horizontal legs.Conventional hydraulic apparatus is provided for raising and loweringthe frame. Each leg of the lift frame has horizontally grooved oppositelongitudinal edges. Slidably mounted on each leg of the frame there isan improved adaptor including a horizontal lower slide. plate havingfolded longitudinal edges that engage the grooved sides of the leg sothat the adaptor can be moved lengthwise with respect to the leg of theHshaped frame. A horizontal flat rectangular table is rotatively mountedon top of the lower slide plate and is adapted for unlimited rotationrelative thereto. A horizontal upper slide plate has folded longitudinaledges that extend around longitudinal edges of the table, so that theupper slide plate is slidably mounted on the table.

An inverted horizontal slide. channel is Welded to the top of the upperslide plate, and a jack is attached to this channel by means of a pin sothat the jack can be moved either to a horizontal position or to anupright position, selectively. Thus, four jacks are provided that areindependently movable longitudinally, transversely, and rotatively'withrespect to the lift frame. When the jacks are in horizontal positionsthey lie relatively close to the frame and provide adequate clearancefor all vehicles that may be driven over the frame. The construction issimple, easy to handle, neat in appearance, and exceptionally rugged.

The invention will be better understood from the following detaileddescription taken in connection with the accompanying. drawing, and itsscope will be pointed out in the appended claims. In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an automobile lift embodying principlesof this invention, the lift having four adaptors each carrying a jack,the four adaptors being shown in four different positions in Fig. 1;

Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of one of the adaptors;

Fig. 3 is a section taken along the line 33 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a section taken generally along the line 44 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a section taken generally along the line 5-5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a section taken along the line 6-6 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is a section taken along the line 77 of Fig. 6; and

Fig. 8 is a section taken along the line 88 of Fig. 6.

Referring now to the drawing, an improved frame lift for automobiles,light trucks and the like has a horizontal H-shaped lift frame 1 withfour outwardly extending horizontal legs 2, 3, 4 and 5. The frame may beraised and lowered by means of a conventional hydraulic mechanismincluding a piston 6 attached to the cross-piece of the H-frame bysuitable means such as bolts, 7. Each leg of the frame, leg 4- forexample, has a pair of horizontal grooves 8 and 9 in oppositelongitudinal sides thereof. Slidably mounted upon respective ones of thefour legs there are four identical adaptors that will now be described.

Each adaptor includes a horizontal lower slide plate 10 having oppositelongitudinal edges 11 and 12 that are folded downward and inward, asshown. Edges 11 and 12 engage the slots 8 and 9 so that lower slideplate 10 is securely fastened to a leg of H-frame 1, and is slidablealong the length of the leg. The adaptor can be removed from theH-frame, if desired, simply by sliding plate 10 off the end of the legon which it is mounted. A circular aperture 13 extends through thecenter of lower slide plate 10. A fiat circular retaining plate 14 iswelded around its outer circumference onto the top of plate 10, and hasa smaller circular aperture 15 alined with aperture 13.

A rotative table 16 is a horizontal fiat rectangular plate with roundedcorners. Two transverse bars 17 and 18 are welded to the underside oftable 16 at opposite ends thereof, as shown. A vertical cylindrical post19 extends rotatively through aperture 15 and a hole in the center oftable 16-. The bottom end of post 19 has an enlarged head that fitsrotatively within aperture 13 of lower slide plate 10. The top end ofpost 19 is welded to table 16 so that table 16 is securely fastened tolower slide plate 10 but is capable of unlimited rotation relativethereto. Bars 17 and 18 rest on the top of slide plate 10 and supportthe ends of rotative table 16.

A horizontal upper slide plate 20 has opposite longitudinal edges 21 and22 that are folded downward and inward, as shown. Folded edges 21 and 22extend around the longitudinal edges of table 16 so that the upper slideplate is securely fastened to and Slidably mounted upon the rotativetable. Upper slide plate 20 can be removed from table 16 simply bysliding it off one end thereof. Replacement of the upper slide plate onthe rotative table is facilitated by the rounded corners of the-table.An inverted channel 23 is welded onto the top of upper slide plate 20.

A jack comprises a jack channel 24 and a jack plate 25 welded transverseto one end thereof. The jack channel consists of a central web and twoside flanges that extend lengthwise beyond the web-at that endof thejack channel opposite to jack plate 25 and form two parallel tongues 26and 27 disposed on opposite sides of slide channel 23. Jack channel 24straddles slide channel 23,

as shown, and a pin 28 extends through tongues 26 and 27 and throughslide channel 23 for attaching the jack to the slide channel. The jackcan be rotated about pin 28 through an angle slightly greater than 90degrees, so that the jack can be moved either to a horizontal positionor to an upright position, selectively. In Fig. 1, two of the four jacksare shown in upright positions, while the other two jacks are shown inhorizontal positions. When the jacks are upright, the lower end of theweb of the jack channel rests upon the top of the slide channel, as isbest shown in Fig. 6, for supporting the jack 'in an upright positionwith jack plate 25 substantially horizontal.

When the jacks are positioned horizontally, the vertical distancebetween the bottom of the H-frame and the uppermost portion of the jackis quite small, about 4% inches, for example, so that adequate clearanceis provided for all vehicles that may be driven over the lift. Forsupporting selected points on the frame of a vehicle, any or all of thefour jacks may be raised to their upright positions and the jacks may bemoved longitudinally, transversely, and rotatively with respect to theH-frame for adjusting the jacks to desired positions relative to anautomobile or light truck of any make or size.

The improved automobile frame lift herein described is extremelyflexible and adaptable for use with all automobiles and light trucks.The adaptors are so low that they can be left on the lift frame at alltimes and provide adequate clearance for all vehicles. They are light inweight and easy to handle. They are of simple and inexpensiveconstruction, yet are rugged and dependable. Furthermore, the lift andadaptors are neatand attractive in appearance, and make goodhousekeeping easier.

It should be understood that this invention in its broader aspects isnot limited to the specific embodiment herein illustrated and described,and that the following claims are intended to cover all changes andmodifications that do not depart from the true spirit and scope of theinvention.

What is claimed is:

1. An adaptor for automobile lifts, comprising a horizontal lower slideplate having opposite longitudinal edges folded downward and inward,said lower slide plate having a circular central aperture, a flatcircular retaining plate welded to the top of said lower slide plate,said retaining plate having a smaller circular aperture alined with saidaperture in the lower slide plate, a horizontal flat table with roundedcorners, a pair of transverse bars welded to the bottom of said table atopposite ends there of, a vertical cylindrical post extending rotativelythrough said aperture in the retaining plate, the upper end of said postbeing welded to said table and the lower end of said post having anenlarged head fitting rotatively within said aperture in the lower slideplate, a horizontal upper slide plate slidably mounted upon said table,and a jack attached to said upper slide plate.

2. An adaptor for automobile lifts, comprising a lower slide plate, atable. rotatively mounted upon said lower slide plate, an upper slideplate slidably mounted upon said table, an inverted horizontal slidechannel welded onto the top of said upper slide plate, a jack channelthat straddles said slide channel, said jack channel having a web andtwo side flanges that extend lengthwise beyond one end of said webforming two parallel tongues disposed on opposite sides of said slidechannel, a jack plate welded transverse to the other end of said jackchannel, and a pin extending through said tongues and through said slidechannel so that said jack channel can be rotated about said pin eitherto a horizontal position or to an upright position selectively, an endof said web resting upon the top of said slide channel when said jackchannel is in its upright position.

3. An adaptor for automobile lifts, comprising a horizontal lower slideplate having opposite longitudinal edges folded downward and inward,said lower slide plate having a circular central aperture, a flatcircular retaining plate welded to the top of said lower slide plate,said retaining plate having a smaller circular aperture alined with saidaperture in the lower slide plate, a horizontal flat table with roundedcorners, a pair of transverse bars welded to the bottom of said table atopposite ends thereof, a vertical cylindrical post extending rotativelythrough said aperture in the retaining plate, the upper end of said postbeing welded to said table and the lower end of said post having anenlarged head fitting rotatively within said aperture in the lower slideplate, whereby said table is securely fastened to said lower slide plateand is capable of unlimited rotation relative thereto, a horizontalupper slide plate having opposite longitudinal edges folded downward andinward, said folded edges of the upper slide plate extending aroundopposite longitudinal edges of said table so that said upper slide plateis slidably mounted upon said table, an inverted horizontal slidechannel welded to the top of said upper slide plate, a jack channel thatstraddles said slide channel, said jack channel having a web and twoside flanges that extend lengthwise beyond one end of said web formingtwo parallel tongues disposed on opposite sides of said slide channel, ajack plate welded transverse to the other end of said jack channel, anda pin extending through said tongue and said slide channel so that saidjack channel can be rotated about said pin either to a horizontalposition or to an upright position selectively, an end of said webresting upon the top of said slide channel when said iack channel is inits upright position.

4. An automobile lift, comprising a horizontal H- shaped frame havingfour horizontal legs, each of said legs having horizontally groovedopposite longitudinal edges, means for raising or lowering said frame,and four adaptors slidably mounted on respective ones of said four legs,each of said adaptors comprising a horizontal lower slide plate havingopposite longitudinal edges folded downward and inward, said foldededges of the lower slide plate engaging said grooved edges of a leg ofthe frame so that said lower slide plate is securely fastened to saidframe and is slidable lengthwise thereon, said lower slide plate havinga circular central aperture, a flat circular retaining plate welded tothe top of said lower slide plate, said retaining plate having a smallercircular aperture alined with said aperture in the lower slide plate, ahorizontal flat table with rounded corners, a pair of transverse barswelded to the bottom of said table at opposite ends thereof, a verticalcylindrical post extending rotatively through said aperture in theretaining plate, the upper end of said post being welded to said tableand the lower end of said post having an enlarged head fittingrotatively within said aperture in the lower slide plate, whereby saidtable is securely fastened to said lower slide plate and is capable ofunlimited rotation relative thereto, a horizontal upper slide platehaving opposite longitudinal edges folded downward and inward, saidfolded edges of the upper slide plate extending around oppositelongitudinal edges of said table so that said upper slide plate issecurely fastened to said table and is slidably mounted thereon, aninverted horizontal slide channel welded onto the top of said upperslide plate, a jack channel that straddles said slide channel, said jackchannel having a web and two side flanges that extend lengthwise beyondone end of said web forming two parallel tongues disposed on oppositesides of said slide channel, a jack plate Welded transversely to theother end of said jack channel, and a pin extending through said tonguesand said slide channel so that said jack channel can be rotated aboutsaid pin either to a horizontal position or to an upright positionselectively, an end of said web resting on the top of said slide channelwhen said jack channel is in an upright position.

5. An adapter for automobile lifts that have a vertically movable framewith a plurality of horizontal legs, comprising a lower slide platefitting in lengthwise sliding relation upon one of said legs, a flattable mounted upon the top of said lower slide plate substantiallyparallel and centered relative thereto, an upper slide plate havingopposite longitudinal edges folded downward and inward, said upper slideplate fitting slidably over said table with said folded edges extendingaround and under opposi-te edges of said table so that said upper slideplate is held substantially parallel to said table and said lower slideplate while being capable of lengthwise sliding motion relative thereto,said upper slide plate being also capable of rotation relative to saidlower slide plate in a plane parallel thereto, said upper slide platebeing longer than said table and substantially covering and extendingbeyond the top of said table when fitted thereon, and a jack attached tosaid upper slide plate, said jack being movable to an upright positionand to a reclining position, selectively.

6. An automobile lift, comprising an H-shaped frame having fourhorizontal legs, each of said legs having horizontally grooved oppositelongitudinal edges, a horizontal lower slide plate having oppositelongitudinal edges folded downward and inward, said lower slide platebeing slidably mounted upon the top of one of said legs with said foldededges of the lower slide plate slidably engaging said grooved edges ofthe leg, a flat table mounted on the top of said lower slide platesubstantially parallel and centered relative thereto, an upper slideplate having opposite longitudinal edges folded downward and inward,said upper slide plate fitting slidably over said table with said foldededges extending around and under opposite edges of said table so thatsaid upper slide plate is held substantially parallel to said table andsaid lower slide plate While being capable of lengthwise sliding motionrelative thereto, said upper slide plate being also capable of rotationrelative to said lower slide plate in a horizontal plane, said upperslide plate being longer than said table and substantially covering andextending be yond the top of said table when fitted thereon, and a jackattached to said upper slide plate, said jack being movable to anupright position and to a reclining position, selectively.

References tCited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,593,635 Walker Apr. 22, 1952 2,612,355 Thompson Sept. 30, 19522,659,455 Green Nov. 17, 1953 2,777,538 Cochin Jan. 15, 1957 FOREIGNPATENTS 182,213 Austria June 10, 1955

